Zillow Unveils State-Specific Touring Agreements: A New Era in Homebuyer Transparency

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In a bold move that redefines the home buying experience, Zillow has introduced 24 state-specific touring agreements, expanding its groundbreaking approach to real estate transactions. This innovation comes as the industry braces for the August 17 deadline, marking a significant shift in how buyers’ brokers engage with homebuyers during tours.

Four months after unveiling its industry-first short-term, non-exclusive touring agreement, Zillow is rolling out state-compliant versions tailored to meet diverse regulatory needs across the country. These agreements are designed to streamline the home touring process for Premier Agent partners, covering 80% of Premier Agent Real-Time Touring connections. While participation in this new system remains optional for agents, those who opt-in will see these agreements seamlessly integrated into their touring process.

Imagine this: a prospective homebuyer clicks to schedule a tour, only to receive a prompt to review and sign a seven-day agreement before stepping foot into their potential new home. This advance preparation not only aligns with new regulations requiring brokers to secure representation agreements before tours but also enhances transparency and sets clear expectations for both parties involved.

For buyers, this means a clearer path forward. Alongside the touring agreement, they receive a detailed primer explaining the agreement's purpose, the benefits of the new protocol, and what steps to take after the tour concludes. Should buyers decide to continue with an agent, they will then enter into a longer-term contract detailing the services provided and compensation structures.

Zillow’s spokesperson reflects on this change as a chance to foster understanding and showcase the value of agents in the home buying process. “We’ve designed this to be an easy, transparent experience for both agents and consumers,” they explain. “It’s about ensuring that shoppers understand exactly what the agent will do without feeling locked into a long-term commitment before they’ve even met them.”

This move is part of Zillow’s broader vision of a more transparent and equitable real estate marketplace. The company has observed that homebuyers who engaged with the touring agreement not only participated in more home tours but were also more inclined to sign long-term agreements with Premier Agents. This data underscores the effectiveness of the agreement in enhancing buyer engagement and agent commitment.

Errol Samuelson, Zillow’s Industry Development Officer, emphasizes the importance of expert guidance in navigating the complexities of home buying. “Buying a home is stressful and often overwhelming,” he notes. “Without expert support, buyers risk missing out on key opportunities and making costly mistakes. Our goal is to ensure that every buyer has the support they need.”

As the real estate landscape evolves, Zillow’s initiative invites both consumers and agents to embrace a new standard of transparency and fairness. With state-specific agreements now available in a broad array of states, Zillow’s latest development stands as a testament to its commitment to improving the home buying journey.

The updated touring agreements are now available in: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.